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United States Patent |
5,660,552
|
Suzuki
,   et al.
|
August 26, 1997
|
Socket connector with a push-button for a bell crank
Abstract
For removably receiving in a predetermined direction a printed circuit
board (11) having first and second side edges, a socket connector
comprises an insulator housing having first and second longitudinal ends,
a bell crank (33) consisting of first and second crank arms (33(1), 33(2))
pivoted by an axle (29) to the insulator housing at the first longitudinal
end, and a push-button (31) for pushing the first crank arm. When the
push-button is pressed substantially downwardly in the predetermined
direction, the first crank arm rotates outwardly relative to the
predetermined direction around the axle. The second crank arm rotates to
lift up the first side edge of the printed circuit board. It is preferred
that the insulator housing comprises a longitudinal rod (17) preferably
having a groove (21) and first and second side members (19(1), 19(2))
extended from the first and the second longitudinal ends to define
extensions of the groove for removably receiving the printed circuit
board.
Inventors:
|
Suzuki; Keiichiro (Tokyo, JP);
Ishiwa; Tadashi (Tokyo, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited (Tokyo, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
391590 |
Filed:
|
February 21, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
439/159; 439/157 |
Intern'l Class: |
H01R 013/62 |
Field of Search: |
439/152-160,372
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4810200 | Mar., 1989 | Sakamoto | 439/155.
|
4898540 | Feb., 1990 | Saito | 439/160.
|
5026296 | Jun., 1991 | Hashiguchi.
| |
5051101 | Sep., 1991 | Komatsu | 439/159.
|
5139435 | Aug., 1992 | Komatsu et al.
| |
5149276 | Sep., 1992 | Dixon.
| |
5302133 | Apr., 1994 | Tondreault.
| |
5429523 | Jul., 1995 | Tondreault | 439/160.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
0 516 177 A1 | Dec., 1992 | EP.
| |
0 580 983 A1 | Feb., 1994 | EP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Pirlot; David L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Laff, Whitesel, Conte & Saret, Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A socket connector having a plurality of contacts implanted within a
socket, said socket connector being adapted for making a connection with a
printed circuit board having first and second side edges and a plurality
of connecting pads positioned in correspondence with said contacts, said
printed circuit board being inserted in a predetermined direction into
said socket to form a mechanically connected state with said contacts
abutting against said connecting pads in said socket, said socket
connector comprising:
an insulator housing having first and second longitudinal ends to removably
receive the first and the second side edges of said printed circuit board;
a bell crank having first and second crank arms pivoted around an axle in
said insulator housing at said first longitudinal end;
a push-button for pushing said first crank arm, when pressed, said first
crank arm making said second crank arm lift the first side edge of said
printed circuit board for removal of said printed circuit board, said
printed circuit board being turned responsive to said lifting of said
edge, said turning being with respect to a fulcrum at the second
longitudinal end in order to mechanically disconnect said contacts to a
position not abutting said connecting pads, and said printed circuit board
being out of said socket responsive to said lifting of said printed
circuit board;
said insulator housing comprising a longitudinal rod having first and
second side members extending therefrom in said predetermined direction,
said first and said second side members being located at said first and
said second longitudinal ends, wherein said second side member comprises
front and back side walls defining a groove for removably receiving said
second side edge of said printed circuit board;
said printed circuit board having a recess in said second side edge,
wherein said second side member comprises an inwardly directed resilient
projection protruding in said predetermined direction and being located
between said front and said back side walls for engagement with said
recess of said printed circuit board when said socket connector receives
said printed circuit board, and wherein said resilient protection is
deformed to release said second side edge of said printed circuit board
from said socket connector when said push-button is pressed to remove said
printed circuit board from said socket, so that said second side edge of
said printed circuit board is engaged with said resilient projection and
is outwardly yielded from an original position of said second longitudinal
end together with the fulcrum likewise displaced, in order to offset a
respective positioning between said contacts and said connecting pads
without producing an excessively abutting stress upon one another during
said turning of said printed circuit board.
2. A socket connector for connecting a printed circuit board having first
and second side edges, said printed circuit board being inserted in a
predetermined direction into said socket, said socket connector
comprising:
an insulator housing having first and second longitudinal ends to removably
receive the first and the second side edges of said printed circuit board;
a bell crank having first and second crank arms pivoted around an axle in
said insulator housing at said first longitudinal end;
a push-button for pushing said first crank arm, when pressed, said first
crank arm making said second crank arm lift up the first side edge of said
printed circuit board for removal of said printed circuit board;
said insulator housing comprising a longitudinal rod and first and second
side members extending in said predetermined direction, said first and
second side members being located at said first and said second
longitudinal ends, wherein said second side member comprises front and
back side walls defining a groove for removably receiving said second side
edge of said printed circuit board;
wherein said push-button comprises front and back integral side jaws
extended in parallel to said predetermined direction and from a side
surface of said push-button for making a pinching engagement with said
first recess when said printed circuit board is inserted in said socket
connector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a socket connector for mounting a printed circuit
board, such as a memory module, on a main board of an electronic
apparatus.
In the manner which will later be described more in detail, such a socket
connector is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/179,163
filed Jan. 10, 1994, by Keiichiro Suzuki, one of the present joint
inventors and assignor to Japan Aviation Electronics Industries, Limited,
of Tokyo, Japan. This Suzuki patent application will be incorporated
herein by reference. A prior-art socket connector described in the Suzuki
patent application comprises a longitudinal rod extending between first
and second longitudinal ends and first and second side members
perpendicularly to the longitudinal rod at the first and the second
longitudinal ends with a groove formed along the longitudinal rod and the
first and the second side members for disconnectably receiving the printed
circuit board. It should, however, be noted that a special tool is needed
on disconnection of the printed circuit board.
A conventional socket connector of the Suzuki patent application comprises
an insulator rod with an L-shaped lever in place of one of the first and
the second side members. It may be possible to assemble the printed
circuit board into the socket connector without the special tool with the
lever left as it is. It should, however, be noted that the lever of the
socket connector is placed at the longitudinal end so that appreciable
space is necessary for manually turning the lever on disconnection of the
printed circuit board from the socket connector. As a result, it is
incapable of increasing a mounting density of such conventional socket
connectors and printed circuit boards on the main board. This also renders
the socket connector bulky and brings about an operational difficulty in
handling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is consequently an object of the present invention to provide a compact
socket connector capable of reducing a mounting density of a printed
circuit board.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a socket connector
which is of the type described and which is easily handled.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a socket
connector which is of the type described and which is capable of easily
disconnecting a printed circuit board from a mounted or received state.
Other objects of the present invention will become clear as the description
proceeds.
According to the present invention, there is provided a socket connector
for connection of a printed circuit board having first and second side
edges with the printed circuit board inserted in a predetermined
direction, the socket connector comprising an insulator housing having
first and second longitudinal ends and used to removably receive the first
and the second side edges of the printed circuit board. The socket
connector further comprises a bell crank consisting of first and second
crank arms pivoted by an axle to the insulator housing at the first
longitudinal end and a push-button for pushing the first arm, when
pressed, to make the second crank arm lift up the first side edge of the
printed circuit board for removal of the printed circuit board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an exploded front view of a prior-art socket connector and a
printed circuit board;
FIG. 2 is a partial front view of a conventional socket connector and a
printed circuit in a partially removed state;
FIG. 3 is a partially sectional front view showing a socket connector
according to a first embodiment of the instant invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial left side view of the socket connector
illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5(A) and (B) are front views of the socket connector depicted in FIG.
3 together with a printed circuit board for use in describing their
connection cooperation;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the socket connector depicted in FIG. 3 and the
printed circuit board for use in describing their disconnection
cooperation;
FIGS. 7(A) and (B) are enlarged partial perspective views of the socket
connector according to a second embodiment of this invention and, in FIG.
7(B), together with the printed circuit board;
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective exploded view of a modification of the
socket connector illustrated in FIG. 7(A); and
FIG. 9 is a partial vertical sectional view of the socket connector
depicted in FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior-art socket connector will be described in
order to facilitate an understanding of this invention. As described in
the Suzuki patent application mentioned heretobefore, such socket
connectors are applicable to removable reception of a printed circuit
board 11 which is substantially rectangular in shape and has top and
bottom edges and left and right or first and second side edges. The
printed circuit board 11 has a row of conductive connecting pads 13
upwardly extended from the bottom edge. The first and the second side
edges has left and right or first and second side recesses 15(1) and
15(2). Such first and second side recesses will either collectively or
singly be designated by a simpler reference numeral 15 with omission of
the suffixes enclosed with parentheses.
The prior-art connector comprises a longitudinal rod 17 extending between
left and right or first and second longitudinal ends and left and right or
first and second side members 19(1) and 19(2) or 19 perpendicularly to the
longitudinal rod 15 at the first and the second longitudinal ends. A
groove 21 is formed along the longitudinal rod 15 and the first and the
second side members 19(1) and 19(2) for disconnectably receiving the
printed circuit board 11. In one-to-one correspondence to the connecting
pads 13, a plurality of conductive contacts 23 (later illustrated) are
planted in the groove 21 to establish electric connection to the
connecting pads 13, respectively, and are extended through the
longitudinal rod 17 for electric connections to a main board 25 of an
electronic apparatus (not shown) for such socket connector. It should,
however, be noted in FIG. 1 that a special tool (not shown) is needed on
disconnection of the printed circuit board 11 from the socket connector.
Turning to FIG. 2, a conventional socket connector of the Suzuki patent
application comprises the longitudinal rod 17 with an L-shaped lever 27
swingably pivoted by an axle 29 to the first longitudinal end in place of
the first side member 19(1). The L-shaped lever 27 is used either
outwardly to rotate around the axle 29 from an upright position or
inwardly return to the upright position. The L-shaped lever 27 has a
wrench arm 27(1) for prying the bottom edge of the printed circuit board
11 and a side projection 27(2) for tight fit with the first side recess
15(1) of the printed circuit board 11. In FIG. 2, the conductive contacts
23 are protruded downwardly from a bottom of the longitudinal rod 17.
It is possible to assemble the printed circuit board 11 into the socket
connector without the above-described special tool with the L-shaped lever
27 left as it is. It should, however, be noted in FIG. 2 that the L-shaped
lever 27 of the socket connector is placed at the first longitudinal end
so that an appreciable space is necessary for manually turning the levers
27 outwardly on disconnection of the printed circuit board 11 from the
socket connector. This renders the socket connector bulky and brings about
an operational difficulty by manually pushing the L-shaped lever 27
outwardly. In addition, it is incapable of increasing a mounting density
of such connected socket connectors and the printed circuit board 11 on
the main board 25.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the description will proceed to a socket
connector according to a first preferred embodiment of this invention.
Throughout the following, similar parts are designated by like reference
numerals.
The longitudinal rod 17 of this socket connector is formed with an ejection
mechanism extended to a predetermined direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal rod 17 from the first longitudinal end. In the manner which
will later be described in greater detail, the ejection mechanism
comprises a push-button 31 for a bell crank 33 and serves to primarily
disconnect the printed circuit board 11 from a mounted or received
condition when the push-button 31 is manually or otherwise pressed.
The push-button 31 is formed substantially perpendicularly to the
longitudinal rod 17 above the bell crank 33. The bell crank 33 has first
and second crank arms 33(1) and 33(2) pivoted by the axle 29 to the
longitudinal rod 17 between a rest and a moved or rotated position. At the
rest position, the first crank arm 33(1) is extended outwardly relative to
the predetermined direction with the second crank arm 33(2) laid in the
groove 21. In the example being illustrated, the first crank arm 33(1) has
a top end surface in parallel with the longitudinal rod 17 to abut a
bottom surface of the push-button 31 when put in the rest position.
When pressed substantially in the predetermined direction, the push-button
31 moves down the top end of the first crank arm 35(1) to rotate the crank
arm 33 counterclockwise around the axle 29. The second crank arm 33(2)
pries the bottom edge of the printed circuit board 11 near the first
longitudinal end. At this time, the printed circuit board 11 is partially
lifted up to be removed from the mounted condition.
Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, the first side member 19(1)
companies a sheath 35(0) and primary front and back side walls 35(1) and
35(2) longitudinally inwardly extended from the sheath 35(0). It is
possible to manufacture the sheath 35(0) and the front and the back side
walls 35(1) and 35(2) integrally of an insulating material. The front and
the back side walls 35(1) and 35(2) are extended in the predetermined
direction from the first longitudinal end to define an extension of the
groove 21 for removably receiving the first side edge of the printed
circuit board 11. Preferably, the front and the back side walls 35(1) and
35(2) are for pinching engagement with the first recess 15(1) of the
printed circuit board 11 when the printed circuit board 11 is perfectly
inserted in the socket connector.
In FIG. 4, the front and the back side walls 35(1) and 35(2) have a pair of
opposite wall surfaces, from which surfaces dowel stoppers 37(1) and 37(2)
are protruded respectively for the pinching engagement in a board
thickness direction of the printed circuit board 11. The dowel stoppers
37(1) and 37(2) are engaged with the printed circuit board 11 with a click
in the first recess 15(1) when the printed circuit board 11 is wholly
inserted in the socket connector.
In FIG. 3, the second side member 19(2) comprises secondary front and back
side walls like the first side member 19(1). These front and back side
walls define another extension of the groove 21 for removably receiving
the second side edge of the printed circuit board 11. The second side
member 19(2) further comprises an inwardly directed projection 19(2A)
between the secondary front and back side walls. When the printed circuit
board 11 is put completely in the mounted position, the projection 19(2A)
engages with the second recess 15(2).
The projection 19(2A) is resiliently attached to the longitudinal rod 17
near the second longitudinal end. On removing the printed circuit board 11
from the socket connector after the push-button 31 is pressed down, the
projection 19(2A) is readily longitudinally outwardly displaced.
FIGS. 5(A) and (B) will be referred to, in addition to FIGS. 3 and 4. In
FIG. 5(A), the printed circuit board 11 is first placed in parallel with
the longitudinal rod 17 between the first and the second side members
19(1) and 19(2). In the meanwhile, the push-button 31 is not yet pushed
down so that the bell crank 33 is put at the rest position. At this time,
the bottom edge of the printed circuit board 11 may be partially pinched
above the first longitudinal end by the dowel stoppers 37(1) and 37(2),
the second side edge of the printed circuit board 11 abutting and pushing
the projection 19(2A) above the second longitudinal end.
In FIG. 5(B), the printed circuit board 11 is manually or otherwise
inserted and brought into mechanical contact with the socket connector.
The first side edge of the printed circuit board 11 is wholly pinched by
the dowel stoppers 37(1) and 37(2). The second side edge of the printed
circuit board 11 abuts and pushes the projection 19(2A). As a result, the
first and the second recesses 15(1) and 15(2) are engaged in the ejection
mechanism and the second side member 19(2). Incidentally, the bell crank
33 still keep the rest position. It is possible to assemble the printed
circuit board 11 in the socket connector without need of the bell crank
33.
In FIG. 6, the printed circuit board 11 is brought out of mechanical
contact with the socket connector with the push-button 31 pressed
downwardly of the figure as indicated by a downwardly directed arrow I.
The bell crank 33 rotates outwardly to lift up the printed circuit board
11. In other words, the printed circuit board 11 is pried by the second
crank arm 33(2) clockwise as shown by a clockwise arrow II to be out of
fit to the socket connector.
Referring afresh to FIGS. 7(A) and (B), the description will next proceed
to a socket connector according to a second embodiment of this invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 7(A), the push-button 31 is rectangular in
cross-section to have a longitudinally inwardly directed surface and
comprises front and back integral side jaws 39(1) and 39(2) extended in
parallel to the predetermined direction from the inwardly directed
surface. The sheath 35(0) is opened on a longitudinally inwardly directed
side. Instead of the primary front and back side walls 35(1) and 35(2)
described in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, the jaws 39(1) and 39(2)
define the extension of the groove 21. In FIG. 7(B), it should be noted
that the front and the back integral side jaws 39(1) and 39(2) serve to
pinch engage with the first recess 15(1) when the printed circuit board 11
is inserted in the socket connector.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the description will proceed to a
modification of the socket connector illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3
to 6. The push-button 31 comprises a resilient stopper 41 with a resilient
protrusion 41A protruded longitudinally outwardly for engaging with a
rectangular notch 43 in the sheath 35(0). On mounting to the socket
connector, the push-button 31 is forced into the sheath 35(0) so that the
resilient protrusion 41A is received in the notch 43. After the
push-button 31 is attached to the socket connector, the resilient
protrusion 41A prevents the push-button 31 from coming out of the sheath
35(0). Near a bottom end of the push-button 31, a longitudinal hole 45 is
formed in order to facilitate deformation of the resilient stopper 41.
More specifically, the sheath 35(0) comprises front and back opposite side
walls 47(1) and 47(2) defining a groove for reception of the first side
edge of the printed circuit board 11 and front and back resilient dowel
stoppers 37(1) and 37(2) for pinching engagement with the printed circuit
board 11 near the first side edges thereof.
Reviewing FIGS. 3 through 9, it has been confirmed that the push-button 31
may be pressed and released slidably obliquely of the predetermined
direction.
In FIG. 3, the ejection mechanism is formed only on the first longitudinal
end of the longitudinal rod 17. It is, however, possible to form another
ejection mechanism symmetrically on the second longitudinal end. In this
case, it is possible to remove the printed circuit board 11 from the
socket connector with the printed circuit board 11 kept parallel to the
longitudinal rod 17.
Furthermore, it is possible for the socket connector not only to improve
its handling capability for disconnection but also to increase a mounting
density on the main board 25. This is because these is no need of a space
for making sure of rotation of the first crank arm 33(1).
While this invention has thus far been described in specific conjunction
with two preferred embodiments thereof and a modification, it will be
readily possible for one skilled in the art to put this invention into
effect in various other manners. For example, the socket connector may
comprise more conductive contact terminals 23 in number than the
connecting pads 13 of the printed circuit board 11. This will make it
possible to use each of socket connectors mounted on the main board 25 for
various printed circuit boards, such as 11.
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